Heading and trimming apparatus



Dec. 9, 1941.

H. J. HOGUE READING AND TRIMMING. APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 13,1940

Patented Dec. 9, 1941 READING AND TRHWIMING APPARATUS Henry J. Hogue, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor of onethird to Charles L- Wasmer and one-third to John C. Wasmer, both of Lakewood, Ohio Application July 13, 1940, Serial N0. 345,392

6 Claims.

This invention relates to the production of blanks for bolts, screws and other headed articles, and more particularly to improved apparatus in which heading and trimming operations on such blanks can be carried out in the samemaohine.

Attempts have heretofore been made to provide a combined heading and trimming machine but so far as I am aware such prior attempts have been unsuccessful. In one form of such heading and trimming machine heretofore pro-, posed a lengthycf wire stock is upset to form thereon a polygonal head having a fin of flash metal projecting outwardly between its inner and outer faces, and the headed blank is then transferred by one of the movable dies to atrimming station where it is subjected to a trimming oper ation by passing the blank, stemiirst, through a hollow trimming die. In the operation of the form of machine just referred to, the passing of the blank stemfirst through the trimming die causes burrs or irregularities to be formed or left on the head projecting from or above the outer face or top thereof. These burrs and irregularities being on the outer head surface not only detract from the appearance and salability of the articles but are in a position to scratch or cut persons who are required to handle the articles or to grasp the heads of bolts or screws with their fingers while they are being installed. It has also been found that when the dies of this form of machine become worn, the blanks frequently drop out of the dies and the transferring of the blanks to the trimming station in 'an eflicient and satisfactory manner cannot be obtained. To overcome these difllculties I have devised the improved heading and trimming apparatus hereinafter described with which headed blanks of more smooth and regular form canbe produced in a rapid and uninterrupted manner.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide improved apparatu for the rapid and economical production of screw blanks, or like headed'articles, in which the heading and "trimming of the blanks is carried out in the same apparatus and without causing burrs or irregularities to be formed on the outer face of the head and in which the transferring of the headed blanks to the trimming station is carried out in a positive and regular manner.

Another object of my invention is to provide combined heading and trimming apparatus embodying a heading means and a hollow trimming die and in which the headed blank is forced,

headflrst, through the trimming die by the use of a hollow trimming punch into which the stem r ing means, a hollow trimming die and a hollow trimming punch and wherein cooperation of the hollow trimming die with the punch causes movement of a blank, headfirst, into the trimming die, and knockout means operable in the hollow punch acts to complete the movement of the blank th'roughthe trimming die.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved heading and trimming apparatus having die means including a stationary heading die, a stationary hollow trimming punch, a movable heading die adapted to cooperate alternately with such stationary die members for heading a blank and transferring the same to the hollow punch, and -a hollow trimming die movable with the movable heading die and adapted to cooperate with the trimming punch to cause the blank to be forced, headfirst, through the trimming die.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide improved heading and trimming apparatus,

of the character mentioned, having cooperating heading die isactuated automatically to enable the latter to transfer the headed blank from the stationary heading die to the hollow trimming punch. a

My invention may be further briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and particularly set out in the appended claims.

In the, accompanying sheets of drawings,

Fig. l is a partial plan view showing combined heading and trimming apparatus of my invention with portions thereof in section;

Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinalwsectional view taken through the apparatus, as indicated by line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial transverse sectional view taken through the apparatus, as indicated by line 3' '3 of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is another partial transverse sectional -mer block 29 which is suitably mounted on the view taken through the apparatus, as indicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken through the hollow trimming punch and showing blank centering means embodied therein;

Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive are partial longitudinal sectional views on the order of Fig. 2 but more or less diagrammatic in form, illustrating the operating sequence of my improved heading and trimming apparatus;

Fig.- 10 is a side elevation of a section of wire stock showing the same preparatory to the initial heading or upsetting operation;

Fig. 11 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation showing the stock or blank after the initial heading or coning operation has been performed thereon;

Fig. 13 is an end view of the blank;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the blank showing the same after the final heading operation has been performed thereon and preparatory to the trimming operation;

Fig. 15 is an end view of this blank;

Fig. 16 is a side elevation showing the finished blank after the trimming operation has been performed thereon and as it is delivered from the machine;

Fig. 17 is an end view of the finished blank;

Fig. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing a modified form of my heading and trimming apparatus;

Fig. 19 is a similar longitudinal sectional view showing another modified form of my heading and trimming apparatus;

Figs. 20 and 21'are partial longitudinal sectional views illustrating other.;forins of hollow trimming punches which may be used-in my improved apparatus;

Fig. 22 is a side elevation showing a headed blank produced by apparatusv embodying the modified trimming punch of .Fig. 20; and

Fig. 23 is a side elevation showing a headed blank produced by apparatus embodying the modified trimming punch of Fig. 21.

More detailed reference will'now be made to the accompanying drawings for the purpose of describing the construction and operation of my improved heading and trimming apparatus, but it will be understood, of course, that the invendie slide 21 and is adapted to be moved toward and away from the die block 28 by the reciprocating ram 26.. The die block 28 may have a stationary hollow heading die and a stationary hollow trimming punch 3| mounted therein, with their axes substantially parallel and spaced apart in the plane of movement of the die slide 21 which, in this instance, is the vertical plane. The movable block 29 carries a coning die-or hammer 32, a heading die or hammer 33 and a hollow trimming die 34. The dies 32, 33 and 34 may be arranged to oppose the stationary dies 30 and 3|, that is to say, may be arranged with their axes lying in the same vertical plane and spaced apart the same distance as the axes of the stationary dies. Themovable dies 32, 33 and 34 are reciprocated by the ram 26 and are thereby moved into cooperating relation with the stationary dies 30 and 3| and are also shifted in the vertical plane by the die slide 21 in timed relation to the reciprocation of the ram 23, so that the heading die 33 may cooperate alternately with the stationary heading die 30 and the stationary trimming punch 3| and so that the coning die 32 and the trimming die 34 may have intermittent cooperation, respectively, with the stational, heading die 30 and the stationary trimming punch 3|.

The specific shape of the above-mentioned die members will, of course, depend upon and vary with the shape orform of the article to be produced. The die members shown in this instance were designed for the production of "a screw blank B having a square head 35, as shown in Figs. 16 and. 17, although a head of any other desired shape could be formed. As will be tion is not limited to the particular apparatus and steps of procedure hereinafter described.

My improved heading and trimming apparatus may be embodied in or applied to various kinds of heading machines and is here shown as applied to a double stroke crank header of a type now commercially available. Heading machines of this character are well known in the artand the construction and general operation thereof need not here be described in detail. Such a heading machine, portions of' which are shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, generally includes a frame 25 having means for mounting the stationary die members and also having a rotatable power driven crankshaft. Such a machine also includes a reciprocating ram .26 adapted to be actuated by the crankshaft and carrying a transversely movable die slide 21 by which the movable die members are supported. The die slide 21 is movable transversely of the ram by appropriate means and in timed relation to the reciprocation of the ram.

stationary die block 28 which is suitably mounted on the frame 25 and a movable die block or ham- 16 explained more in detail hereinafter, these die members operate on a blank B in the form of a length or section of wire stock to first form a blank B (see Figs. 12 and 13) having .one end thereof upset into a cone-like head 36 and to then form a blank 3 (Figs. 14 and 15) having a square head 31 corresponding with the head 35 except that it has a projecting fin 38 of flash metal. The die members 34 and 3| then cooperate to trim the blank by removing the fin 38.

The stationary die member 30 may have an axially extending chamber or recess 4| for the stem portion of the blank to be formed and a polygonal recess 42, in this instance a square recess, at the outer end of such stem recess for shaping the head of the blank. The headforming recess 42 may be of a depth approximately equal to or slightly less than one-half 7 the thickness of the head 35. The stationary die member or trimming punch 3| may also have an axial chamber or recess 43 for the stem of the blank and which may be fiared or tapered adjacent its outer end, as indicated at 44, to facilitate the insertion of the stem of the blank into the punch. The recess 43 may be of a size to receive the stem of the blank but to provide enough friction to prevent the blank from being pulled out of the punch by the die member 33. Knockout pins 39 and 40 may be arranged to operate in the chambers or stem recesses of the die members 30 and 3| for ejecting the blanks therefrom and may be actuated in timed relation to the movements of the ram 26, as will be presently explained. a

v The movable die or hammer 32, above referred to as the coning die, has a tapered recess 45 therein of which the innerend wall may be formed by the end of the upsetting pin 45'. This die member cooperates with the stationary die member 30 for initially upsetting the section or length of wire stock B and during this operation, the tapered recess 45 forms a correspondingly tapered cone-like head or upset portion 35 on the blank, as shown in Fig. 12. The movable heading die or hammer 33 cooperates with the stationary die member 39 for performing the final heading operation on the blank and is provided with a recess 45 similar in shape and size to the recess 42 of the die member 30. The hollow trimming die 34 has an opening 41 therethrough which, at the outer face of the die, has a size and shap corresponding with that of the head 35 of the finished blank 3. The opening 41 may be slightly tapered to facilitate the movement of the blank therethrough. Inwardly of the trimming die 34, the block 29 may be provided with an opening or passage 48 through which the trimmed blanks may be discharged and from which they can drop into a chute or suitable container.

In the final heading operation performed by the die members 30 and 33, the cone-like head 36 of the blank 13 is shaped or further upset into the square head 31, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15 which correspondsin size and shape with the head 35 of the finished blank B but which has a fin 38 of flash metal projecting therefrom between its irmer and outer faces 49 and 50.

The trimming operation removes this fin 38 by a shearing action which is performed on the blank by the cooperation of the die members 34 and 3| after the blank has been transferred to the latter die member. During this trimming operation the hollow die member 34 closes on the die' member or trimming punch 3| and causes the head of the blank B being held by the trimming punch 3| to be forced into the opening 41 of the trimming die thereby causing the fin 38 to be trimmed from the blank. During this closing of the trimming die against the trimming punch, it will be noted that the blank enters the opening of the trimming die, headfirst, and therefore the trimming operation will be such that no burrs or irregularities will be produced on the sides or on the outer face 50 of the head. If there is any tendency to cause burrs, they will extend from the inner face 49 of the head and in this location they will not detract materially from. the appearance of the product, nor will they be in a position to scratch or cut the fingers of persons handling or installing the headed articles.

During the closing of the trimming dies, the stem of the blank is in the recess 43 of the trimming punch 3| and the blank is therebv accurately aligned with the opening of the trimming die 34. I find that when the blank is thus properly aligned for the trimming operation there is 4 little or no tendency to produce burrs n the blanks or for the heads of the blanks to be sheared on a bevel which would require the articles to be scrapped. The engagement of the stem mechanism; The wire stock W may be fed into the machine at a suitable point. such as through the passage SI, and the cut-off mechanism may comprise cooperating stationary and movable cut-off dies 52 and 53. The stationary cut-off die 52 may be located in laterally spaced relation to the stationary heading die 30 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The movable cut-off die 53 may be in the form of a shear blade movable across thedie 52. The stock W may be advanced by suitable feed rolls (not shown) to bring the leading end thereof in engagement with the feed stop 54. The section of stock or blank B is severed from the wire W by the transversely movable shearblade 53 and is carried thereby to a position in front of and in alignment with the recess of the die member 30. A resilient transfer finger 55 cooperates with the shear blade 53 for gripping the blank B while it is being moved to such position.

Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, illustrate the operating sequence of my improved heading and trimming apparatus and reference will now be made to these views. Fig. 6 shows the section of stock or blank B as having been cut from the wire W and moved laterally to a position in front of the stationary die member 30. In this view the hammer block '29 is moving, or is about to move, toward the die block 28 and the coning die 32 and the heading die 33 are in axial alignment, respectively, with the stationary die'member 30 and the stationary trimming punch 3|. Upon closing of the die members 32 and 30 the blank B will be carried into the recess of the die member 30 and the outer end of the blank will be upset in the tapered recess to form the cone-like head 35. In this same view the die member 33 is shown as carrying a blank B on which the final head ing operation was performed on .the previous closing stroke of the hammer block. As the die member 33 approaches the trimming punch 3|, the stem of the headed blank B will be inserted into the recess 43 of. the trimming punch and the blank will be transferred to the latter preparatory to the trimming operation.

Fig. '7 shows the hammer block 29 moving away from the die block 28 after the ooning operation has been performed by the die members 32 and 39 and after the headed blank B has been deposited in the trimming punch 3|. As shown in Fig. 7 the blank B remains in the die member 39 as the dies open following the coning operation. During or after the movement of the hammer block 29 away from the die block 28, the block 29 is lifted by the die slide 21 to the position shown in Fig. 8 to bring the die members 33 and 34 into alignment with the die members or punches 30 and 3|, respectively. Fig. 8 shows.

the hammer block 29 moving or ready to move toward the die block 28 to thereby close the die members 33 and 30 to perform the final heading operation on the blank and to close the trimming dies 34 and 31 to trim the headed blank B in the manner above explained. During the c osing of the heading dies 33 and 3" the cone-like head 36 of the blank 28 is further upset and pressure shaped in the recesses 42 and 46 into the square head 31 having the fin 38 thereon.

F g. 9 shows the hammer block 29 as moving, or having moved. away from the die block 28 at the completion of the heading and trimming operations. During this opening movement of the block 29. the blank 13 upon which the final heading operation has iust been performed by the die members 33 and 30. moves with the die member 33 so that wh n the block is shifted downwardlv by the die slide to the position shown in Fig. 6, the headed blank B will be in alignment with tion has been' performed thereon and during the same opening of the dies the pin 48 acts toeject the blank B from the trimming punch 3| so as to complete the movement thereof through the hollow trimming die 34. Such ejecting movement is imparted to these knockout pinssubstantially at the time that the hammer block 29 begins to move away from the die block 28 at the completion of the heading and trimming operations so that the headed blank B will be released from the stationary die member 39 for movement with the die member 33, as shown in Fig. 9, and also 1 to complete the movement of the blank 3* through the trimming punch 34.

The knockout pins 39 and 49 may be actuated by any suitable means, such as a lever 51 fulcrumed on the pivot pin 58 and which is rocked by a push rod 59 in timed relation to the reciprocation of the ram 26. The lever 51 may have a head or arm portion 60 thereon for contact with the ends of the knockout pins 39 and 40. It may be desirable to have the knockout pin 48 actuated in advance of the knockout pin 39 and before actual separating movement of the block 26 away from the block 28 takes place. I may accomplish this by providing the arm portion 60 of the lever 51 with a shoulder or projection 6| for engagement with the knockout pin 48 and may alsoa provide a space 62 between the arm portion 66 and the knockout pin 39. With this construction and arrangement it will be seen that the knockout pin 48 can be actuated in advance of the knockout pin 39 and .an operating sequence can j -be obtained in which the knockout pin 40 will act to kick the headed blank through the trimming die 34 at or before the beginning of movement of the block 29 away from the die block 28, and the pin 39 will eject the headed blank B from the die member 30 substantially simultaneously with the start of the separating movement of the block 29 away from the block 28.

As I have already explained above, the movable die member 33 cooperates with the die member 38 in the final heading operation and also serves as a means for transferring the headed blank B to the trimming punch 3| In this transfer operation the die member 33 is assisted by a transfer finger 63 which prevents the headed blank from becoming accidentally dislodged from the recess 46. The transfer finger 63 may be in the form of i an arm pivoted for rocking movement in a bracket 64 and'having a forked portion 65 at its lower end for engagement with the blank B under the head 31 thereof. The bracket 64 may have a stem 65' thereon by which it is pivoted on a section or portion of the hammer block 29 to i provide for lateral swinging of the finger 63 to the broken line position shown in Fig. 3. One or more tension springs, in this instance two such springs, 66 and 6'! may be arranged to act on the finger 63 to normally hold the same in the full line position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, but adapted to be extended to permit rocking of the finger in the bracket 64 as well as lateral swinging of the finger with the bracket. The transfer finger 63 maybe provided at its upper endwith a contact portion 68 which is engageable with one or the other of a pair of lugs 69, 18 during the closing of the dies. The engagement of the contact portion 68 with either of these lugs will cause lateral swinging of the finger to its broken line position shown in Fig. 3.

When the heading die 33 is in alignment with the stationary heading die 39, as shown in Fig. 8. and moves toward the latter for the final heading operation on the blank, it is desirable that the transfer finger 63 be swung laterally from between the dies to prevent breakage or interference with the heading operation. Such swinging of the transfer finger prior to the heading operation iscaused by the engagement of the contact portion 68 with the lug 16. As the heading die 33 moves away from the die 30, after the final heading operation, the spring 66 promptly swingsthe transfer finger 63 back to its normal position shown in Fig. 3 with its forked end 65 engaging under the head of the blank B to retain the latter in the die-recess 46.

When the die member 33 carrying the headed blank has been aligned with the trimming punch 3| and moves toward the latter, as shown in Fig. 6, to insert the stem of the blank into the recess 43, the contact portion 68 of the transfer finger 63 engages the lug 69 to thereby swing the transferfinger out from between the dies and thus releasing the blank from the recess of the die member 33. The engagement of the contact por-.

tion 68 with the lug 69 preferably occurs after the stem of the blank has been started into the v than the stem or shank of the blank B so that the latter .can be more readily inserted thereinto by the heading die. Whenthis is done it is also desirable to provide the punch with a blank gripping and centering means which serves to frictionally grip and hold the stem of the blank B to prevent it from being pulled out of the punch by the heading die and which also serves to center the blank for registration with the opening of the trimming die. One form of such gripping and centering means is illustrated in Fig. 5 wherein I show a trimming punch 3|a having a recess 43a which receives the stem of the blank and is'somewhat larger in diameter than the stem. The gripping and centering means may comprise a plurality of spring pressed balls or pawls I2 located in radially extending openings 13 and adapted to project part way into the recess 43a for ripping and centering the stem of the blank therein. The spring pressed balls I2 are preferably three in number although any larger number may be provided.

It is notnecessary that the knockout pin 40 be used in my heading and trimming apparatus and if desired, can be omitted, as shown in the modified arrangement shown in Fig. 18. When the trimming operation is performed without a knockout pin in the trimming punch 14, the headed blank sticks in the trimming die 15 and -when the trimming dies are opened the blank moves with the die member 15 causing the stem thereof to be withdrawn from the trimming punch 14. Following this opening movement of the dies the hammer block 16 is shifted down to the position shown in Fig. 18 preparatory to the next succeeding coning and transferring operation, and during the subsequent closing of the dies the stem of the trimmed or partially trimmed blank engages a thrust block TI and is thereby pushed the remaining distance through the trimming die 15.

Fig. 19 shows an arrangement similar to that of Fig. 18 but in which the die block 80 has an open clearance recess 8| in place of the thrust block 11. In the operation of this modified arrangement the partially trimmed blank 82 sticks in the trimming die 83 and on the stroke of the hammer block 84 following the trimming stroke this blank moves into and out of the clearance recess 8|. On the next succeeding stroke, during which the previously coned blank 85 is headed, the stem of the blank 82 engages the previously headed blank 86 then in the punch 81 and is thereby pushed the remaining distance through the trimming die 83 to complete the trimming of the blank 82. The latter portion of this same stroke causes the blank 86 to be started through the trimming die.

In the apparatus thus far described, the trimming punch is used only as a means for holding and aligning the headed blank for the trimming operation, but, if desired, this punch can be so shaped that an additional operation will be performed on the blank when the latter is transferred to the trimming punch and forced thereinto by the movable heading die. For example, a trimming punch 90, of the form illustrated in ig. 20, may be used, or a trimming punch 9|, of the form illustrated in Fig. 21, may be employed. The trimming punch 90 may have a recess 92 of square or other desired cross-section adjacent its outer end into which some of the metal of the blank is upset during the closing of the trimming dies to form .a corresponding squared portion 93 on the blank immediately under the head 94 thereof, such as is frequently desirable on carriage bolts and other screws. The trimming punch 9|, shown in Fig. .21, may be formed so that its recess has a reduced portion 95 at its inner end into which some of the metal of the blank is extruded during the closing of the trimming diesto thereby form a corresponding reduced stem portion 96 on the blank.

From the foregoing description and the accompanyin drawings, it will now be readilyunderstood that I have provided an improved headin and trimming apparatus by which bolts, screws and like members can be rapidly and economically produced and in which the trimming of the blank can be carried out in the same apparatus "as that which forms the head. It will be seen moreover that in my improved apparatus the trimming of the blank is accomplished by forcing the blank, 'headfirst, through a hollow trimming die so that the likelihood of leaving burrs on the outer" face or top of the head will be avoided. Moreover, it will be seen that I have provided an improved arrangement of heading and trimming dies, as well as an improved arrangement for the knockout pins and transfer finger'employed with such dies.

While I have illustrated and described'my improved heading and trimming apparatus in a more or less detailed manner, it will be understruction herein disclosed, but regard my invention as including such changes and modificapunch.

-tions as do not constitute a departure from the Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a heading and trimming machine for producing headed bolt blanks, a stationary die block, a hammer block movable toward and away from said die block and also movable transversely of the die block to either of two positions, means for causing such movements of the hammer block, a hollow die and a hollow punch carried by said die block, a coning die, a heading die and trimming die carried by said hammer block and arranged so that the coning and heading dies are alternately aligned with said hollow die for said two positions of the hammer block and said heading die and said trimming die are alternately aligned with the punch, the openings of said hollow die and hollow punch being adapted to-receive the stems of bolt blanks and said punch cooperating with said trimming die for aligning a bolt blank therewith and causing movement of such blank headfirst therethrough, and knockout members operable in the openings of said hollow die and hollow punch for ejecting the blanks therefrom.

2. In a heading and trimming machine of the character described, a pair of blocks the first being movable toward and away from the second and also movable transversely of the second to either of two positions, a hollow die and a hollow punch carried by said second block and whose openings are adapted to receive the stems of bolt blanks, a heading die and a hollow trimming die carried by said movable first block, means for causing such movements of the movable block, said heading die being adapted and arranged to cooperate with said hollow die for heading a blank and transferring the headed blank to said hollow punch by inserting the same stemfirst thereinto, means cooperating with said heading die for retaining the headed blank therein during said transferring, said trimming die being adapted and arranged to cooperate with said punch so that the latter starts the blank headfirst through the trimming die while holding the blank in substantial alignment with the axis of the trimming die, and a knockout operable in said hollow punch for completing the movement of the blank through the trimming die.

3. In a heading and trimming machine of the character described, a pair of blocks the first punch for heading a blank and transferring the same to the latter, means carried by the movable block for retaining the headed blank in said heading die during the transfer of the blank to said hollow punch,.said heading die operating to insert the headed blank stemfirst into said hollo'w punch to be held thereby in alignment with the trimming die and said hollow trimming die being. adapted and arranged to cooperate with said hollow ,punch to cause the blank to move headfirst into the trimming die, and knockout means for ejecting the blank from said hollow -4. In a heading and trimming machine of the character described, a pair 01' blocks the first being movable toward and away from the second and also movable transversely of the second to either of two positions, a hollow die and a holj low punch carried by said second block, a heading 1 die and a hollow trimming die carried by said movable first block, means for causing such movements of the movable block, said heading die being arranged to cooperate alternately with fsaid hollow die and said hollow punch for heading a blank and transferring the same'to the j latter, a transfer finger can'ied by said movable block and arranged for swinging movement to a position for retaining the headed blank in said 1 heading die and from said position to release the blank, means adapted to be engaged by said finger to cause such swinging movements thereof,

said heading die operating to insert the headed blank stemfirst into ,said hollow punch to be held thereby in alignment with the trimming die and 1 said hollow trimming die being adapted and arranged to cooperate with said hollow punch to cause the blank to move headfirst into the trimming die, and knockout means for ejecting the. blank from said hollow punch.

'5. In a machine or the character described, a

punch having an opening to receive the stem of a headed blank, a heading die and a trimming die, means mounting said heading die and trimming die for movement to cause the same to cooperate alternately with said punch for depositing a headed blank therein and subsequently trimmingthe blank,'means for actuating the mounting means for imparting such movement to the heading and trimming dies, spring pressed means on said punch for gripping the blank to 10 disengage the same from the heading die and to center the'same for the trimming die, said punch and trimming die cooperating with each other so as to forcethe headed blank headflrst into the trimming die, and knockout means ior ejecting the blank fromsaid punch.

6. In a machine of the character described, a pair of cooperating relatively movable dies for operating on a headed blank comprising a trimming die and a punch having an opening for the stem of the headed blank,'means for moving one of said dies toward the other to force the blank headfirst into the trimming die, a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially movable spring pressed elements in said punch and engageable with the stem of said blank for gripping and centering the same, and knockout means for ejecting the blank from said punch. A HENRY J. HOGUE. 

